CeMESS

Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science

CeMESS/Maximilian Prag

Expanding Knowledge

The Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science | CeMESS at the University of Vienna brings together rapidly advancing research fields of high societal relevance. Our Centre unites four Research Divisions spanning microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, and environmental geoscience.

This multidisciplinary strength enables us to investigate, in a comprehensive way, the biotic and abiotic processes that shape our bodies, ecosystems, and the entire planet. Our research delivers key insights to help address some of today’s most pressing global challenges, from human to planetary health.

More about us

CeMESS News

Michael Zumstein appointed Associate Professor

01.06.2025 EDGE

We are pleased to announce that Michael Zumstein has been appointed Associate Professor at the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems…

Open PhD positions Spring 2025

29.04.2025 CeMESS

Several open PhD positions are currently available in our doctoral school.

Concerning Chemicals from the Wear of Climbing Shoes Cause Trouble in Indoor Halls

29.04.2025 EDGE

Those who climb indoors are doing something for their health. But climbing shoes contain chemicals of concern that can enter the lungs of climbers…

Jillian Petersen appointed Full Professor at CeMESS

01.03.2025 CeMESS

We are delighted to announce that Jillian Petersen has been appointed Full Professor (§ 99/4) at the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems…

Three Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships awarded to CeMESS

18.02.2025 CeMESS

Congratulations to Valentin Waschulin, Ruizhe Pei and Tomohisa Sebastian Tanabe, who each received a highly competitive Marie Skłodowska-Curie…

CeMESS celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science

11.02.2025 CeMESS

At CeMESS, women play a vital role in shaping the future of science. With more than half of our researchers identifying as women, we recognize the…

CeMESS in the Media

Microbiomes Drive Planetary Health

The FWF-funded Cluster of Excellence (CoE) brings together the expertise of CeMESS researchers from all four CeMESS divisions in a joint, ambitious research project.

Learn more

CeMESS Events

Effects of Nanoplastics in the Lungs: Where Are We At?

10.04.2025 EDGE Lecture Series

Lea Ann Dailey

Viromics: Lessons from the oceans, soils, and humans

10.04.2025 CeMESS Lecture Series

Matthew Sullivan

Plasmids at the crossroads: Microbial interactions and adaptations in the gut

03.04.2025 DOME Lecture Series

Itzhak Mizrahi

Recent Publications

Hodzic A, Cizek V, Kunert M. Gut immune and redox transcriptional responses to Borrelia infection in questing Ixodes ricinus. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2026 Jul;17(4):1-6. 102668. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102668

Allagui W, Brahim N, Allani M, Zougari B, Ibrahim H, Bol R et al. Oasis management and topography interactively shape soil inorganic carbon dynamics in hyper-arid soils. Geoderma. 2026 Jul;471:1-12. 117865. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117865

Mohr MG, Tanabe TS, Grosser M, Dahl C. Biochemistry and transcriptional regulation of bacterial sulfur oxidation. In Advances in Microbial Physiology. Academic Press. 2026. (Advances in Microbial Physiology, Vol. 88). Epub 2026 Jun 24. doi: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2026.06.003

Dolschak K, Winter Artusio E, Mayer M, Grabner M, Tatzber M, Ahmed IU et al. Climate drivers of historic tree growth in the Vienna Woods and prediction of future performance of eight selected tree species. Forest Ecology and Management. 2026 Jun 15;610:123674. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2026.123674

Waschk P, Spiegel P, Gessler A, Saurer M, Bock BM, Hinterdobler W et al. Evidence for resource transfer via common endophyte networks. Scientific Reports. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-56653-9

All publications